An update from Shout! Factory regarding their Transformers The Headmasters DVD release – it’s not coming to Walmart or Target brick & mortar stores. The official word came to us earlier:
Because it is Japanese w/ subtitling and so appeals to a specific Transformers fan, it is not physically in WalMart or Target stores. It is in Best Buy and Transworld (FYE) stores and many other retailers. Fans can certainly get it directly from ShoutFactoryStore.com
Girl Pants
Yeah… so I actually bought mine at a Wal-Mart.
Maybe only the US ones didn't pick it up? I guess the Canadian ones have them.
Tripredacus
I found it in the TV section. it was with all the G1 stuff too.
Jlogano20
ive checked many best buys where the hell is it
Prowl 2009
Here in Canada, I've seen the Headmasters DVD set for sale everywhere. Seriously, from HMV to Best Buy from Wal-Mart to Future Shop, every store down here seems to have it for sale.
Rodimus
I got mine from Best Buy in the store. You might have to ask for them to check though because I went back a week after release and it still looked like they didn't put it out on the shelf. I had to ask a sales floor person and they brought the DVD out of the back for me.
XanatosVanBadas
Well, that is interesting. I don't mind omiting the swearing (Japanese profanity is different anyhow, so think of it as translating the swears into transformer ). Transformers using human swears sounds silly anyhow outside of damnit. What does annoy me is the usage of modern phrases from IDW and the like. This series wasn't made recently and shouldn't be treated like it was. Still, I guess I'll have to watch the episodes to judge for myself. I do tend to be forgiving so long as the intent of the dialog is still there.
Foster
N-n-not a Ninja Consultant?
Maverick Hunter Christian
Video: On the whole, its okay. Some episodes look like they've had their brightness/contrast bumped up. Others not so much. Its a far cry from the old VHS dubs I bought 10 years ago.
Subs: They're… strange. Mechanically, they're not very good. In spots, some characters' dialogue stays on screen before they've spoke and remains well after they've finished, others are there and done in a heart beat, leaving them difficult to read. There are issues with spelling and formatting errors at some point in almost every episode… leading me to believe this was a rush job. Which leaves me wondering if the delay of the complete collection will fix this problem?
The content of the subs does a pretty admirable job of contextualizing Headmasters as a Transformers show, rather than a Japanese show that just happens to feature the Transformers including a lot of modern conventions.
For example, in the infamous Ninja Consultant scene; with the new subs, Sixshot identifies himself as a 'Phase-Six Decepticon Officer' playing off Sixshot's role in the IDW comics. Soundwave/Soundblaster and Blaster/Twincast often refer to their cassettes as Deployers, as Hasbro has taken to in recent years.
Moreover, where applicable, western names and titles are used. So no Convoy, Cybertrons, Destrons, or Seibertron. …and in place of the light swearing, phrases like, "Scrap! Scrap you! The Pit/Inferno" are used instead.
Purists will probably be pissed. But as a western fan whose never really cared for the way Japan has handled the franchise, I appreciate the effort.
XanatosVanBadas
Just bumping this to ask if anyone whose bought the episodes has seen them yet? Any thoughts as to the video, sound, subs, etc?
kylash327
best buy was $24.99, didnt bother checking walmart since they werent supposed to have em
Funky Munky
Is $25 what the store price is as well (sometimes net prices are different than the store).
x BlackMagnus x
That's just crazy talk…
Yes. See my post above.
Funky Munky
No Wally near me; did Best Buy have them?
Metroplex79
Looky what I got today at Wal-Mart!!!
An Army of Bees
Just a reminder: When it comes to actual physical stores, tt's being released only through stores like Best Buy and FYE. Wal-Mart, Target, and K-Marts aren't exactly prime territory for obscure 80's anime DVDs.
x BlackMagnus x
Looks like it was released today in stores, well, Best Buy anyway.
Transformers Japanese Collection: Headmasters – DVD
SKU- 2834313
To call and check your local stores.
kylash327
Hoping to find this at BestBuy today…
Prowl
Yup getting mine tomorrow. And I have never seen this. Not even online. So I am stoked.
Mospeada
Mine is in Philadelphia and is expected tomorrow!
Backscatter
My ETA from Amazon is on my birthday! Nice.